Here is a new band from Benin on Oro, "Les Astronautes de Cotonou" and a new label, "Etoiles Noires" (Black Stars). The orchestra was formed, I believe, by El Rego before 1970. Subsequently, "Les Astronautes", following their own voice recorded with many authors such as Desire G. de Souza around 1975. Side 1, "Egbeton Dje Bodji", is nostalgic sato rhythm and Side 2, "Ahouilivou Dougbe", is an indispensable cavacha rhythm. Another fabulous post about "the astronauts" will be published soon...

Gnonnas Pedro founded his first band, Los Panchos, in 1965. In 1970, it became "Gnonnas Pedro y sus Panchos". Inspired by the french author and singer, Charles Aznavour, he composed many titles in french and in the same style of singing than his predecessor, as this beautiful song "Une Fille à Saigon" ("Girl of Saigon"). The other title of the record, "Avivogbe", is an afro-beat title rhythm inspired by Agbadja rhythm from Gnonnas Pedro's region in Benin.

Lemed Janvier has not been mentioned for a long time on the blog. You can see the previous posts here. Kpedjolemed Janvier was born in 1949 in Cove, benin. he started music at college. his father saw in him the desire to become a musician and asked him to go study at the INZA (National Arts Institute of Zaïre). But Janvier anticipates integrating the Poly-Rythmo orchestra with whom he recorded his first title: "Sais-tu que je t'aime". At the insistence of his father, he joined, in 1979, the orchestra "Les Volcans de la Capitale", which was the national orchestra, and recorded three albums. Finally, he went to study in Zaïre and joined, as singer, the Afrisa International Tabu Rey Rochereau's band. He recorded three albums: "Mea Culpa", "Akuotowévo" and finally "Lemed in Kinshasa". Lemed janvier passed away on January 11, 2011 at the age of 62.

In 1952, Gilbert Rouget travels throughout Africa and recorded many traditional musicians. These trips funded by the french Museum of Man and even more so by the former French colony. Many records will be edited and can be consulted on Oro. This album: "Music of Secret Societies" offers a range of traditional bands of Ivory Coast, Dahomey and Guinea. The record is very well preserved.

SIDE 1

IVORY COAST

By their number, the Baule people are the most important of Ivory Coast. They are rich, with a powerful social organization and highly independent. The quality of his art (sculpture, weaving and jewelry) make Baule society one of the highlights of West Africa.

1.PONDO KAKOU

Pondo Kakou et Gooli, which never move without the other, together form the most powerful protective spirits of the village. They are the policeman of morality and to them guilty pay the fine of his fault.

2. GRINPI

Battery of six drums and an iron bell.

The photo on the front cover was taken even while recording. The big drum is beaten in honor of a chief or a great person.

3.DIOUROU

The Baule like to meet in the evenings, drink and sing nostalgic and satirical songs. It speaks of a "wound in the other world can not cure", referring to the holes in the human body that never close and that we must accept without being able to change anything.

SIDE 2

DAHOMEY

1. BATTERY FOR OGUN

This battery was reorder in Nago (Yoruba) country, to Ilodo, at night, during the ceremony dedicated to god of Iron, Ogun.

This little formation has a good reputation in Dahomey and Nigeria. It is made up of Adjado, lead singer, a Sakara drummer (fish skin stretched over a collar of pottery) and two gourd drummers. These are professional musicians who play for weddings, baptisms or sporting events.

4. SONGS FOR A VODUN

The Adgidigbo is formed by a soap box on the upper face of which are atteched side by side five metal plates that the musician vibrates with his thumbs. The song is characteristic of the vocal style of Goun people so different from the style of the Yoruba, their neighbors.

5. The NESSOUHOUE are dead princes of the royal family of Abomey. This song was recorded in a temple of Abomey in the evening during the long season dedicated to cults of the ancient kings.

I am sorry to offer a poor sound quality of vinyl but this recording from Poly-Rythmo is so surprising that it makes you forget its old age and degradation. this band is full of surprises in the variety of rhythms they play, especially on the Sato title on side B: "Ati Sissin". the guitar and brass sound curiously like Ethiopian music from the same period.

This excellent album, recorded in 1978 by the Burkinabe singer and his band "Les Vautours" (The Vultures), is rare. The label Tropiques Satel always reserve good surprises. Here is an interview with Abdoulaye Cissé found on lefaso.net

"I started music very young, when I went to school in Koudougou in 1962. I already had a guitar that my uncle gave me. My father was a republican guard and I had the opportunity to see many bands. I am not a griot and I'm not allowed to sing. I was the only one to be interested by music and my family finally understood me. I recorded my first 7 inches in 1974 and my first album in 1978 in Benin. Outside of music, I was trained for teaching. I came out as a teacher in 1968 and did 12 years in the field, in the bush as they say..."